Flat pack bicycle rack

ABSTRACT

A rack system for a plurality of bicycles, including a first elongated base assembly having a plurality of first holes therein, a second elongated base assembly having a plurality of second holes therein and a plurality of support elements. The support elements are configured for mechanical connection to the base assemblies solely by easy mechanical attachment. The first and second end of one support element are configured for insertion into one of the first and second holes, respectively. The first and second base assembly are configured to provide a resisting force to a torque applied to one support element by one of the bicycles about a line which joins the an associated first and second hole. A spacing of the first and second holes is configured, such that every two of the support elements support one bicycle by the wheel and the bicycles are spaced apart.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a bicycle rack and, in particular, it concerns a bicycle rack that is designed for easy end-user assembly.

[0002] Wall, floor mounted or freestanding bicycle racks are generally formed by welding together metal elements. Such bicycle racks are bulky and are therefore difficult and expensive to transport. Additionally, they occupy too much space in a retail outlet or in a warehouse of a wholesaler or manufacturer. Moreover, they are bulky for a consumer to transport to the chosen installation site.

[0003] There is therefore a need for a flat-pack self-assembly bicycle rack that is easy to assemble and provides a sturdy rack for supporting stored bicycles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is a flat-pack self-assembly bicycle rack construction and method of assembly thereof.

[0005] According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided a rack system for a plurality of bicycles, each of the bicycles having a wheel, comprising: (a) a base assembly; and (b) a plurality of support elements, the support elements being configured for mechanical connection to the base assembly solely by easy mechanical attachment.

[0006] According to a further feature of the present invention: (a) the base assembly includes: (i) a first elongated base assembly having a plurality of first holes therein; and (ii) a second elongated base assembly having a plurality of second holes therein; and (b) the support elements are elongated support elements, each of the support elements turning through at least 90 degrees, at least one of the support elements having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured for insertion into one of the first holes, the second end being configured for insertion into one of the second holes, the first elongated base assembly and the second elongated base assembly being configured to provide a resisting force to a torque applied to the one support element by one of the bicycles about a line which joins the one first hole and the one second hole, a spacing of the first holes and the second holes being configured, such that, every two of the support elements support one of the bicycles by the wheel.

[0007] According to a further feature of the present invention, when the support elements are mechanically connected to the first elongated base assembly and the second elongated base assembly, the support elements are related to each other by translation without rotation.

[0008] According to a further feature of the present invention, when the support elements are mechanically connected to the first elongated base assembly and the second elongated base assembly, the support elements are substantially parallel.

[0009] According to a further feature of the present invention, the first elongated base assembly and the second elongated base assembly are configured for mechanically connecting to a fixed surface.

[0010] According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided at least one brace, the brace being connectable to two of the support elements in order to reduce sideways torque of the two support elements.

[0011] According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a plurality of fastening members configured to fasten the support elements in the first holes and the second holes.

[0012] According to a further feature of the present invention, the first end of each of the support elements includes an opening for inserting one of the fastening members therein.

[0013] According to a further feature of the present invention, the first elongated base assembly and the second elongated base assembly are hollow, the first holes being disposed in the first elongated base assembly on two levels and the second holes being disposed in the second elongated base assembly on two levels, such that, the first end of each of the support elements is configured for insertion through two of the first holes and the second end of each of the support elements is configured for insertion through two of the second holes.

[0014] According to a further feature of the present invention, there is also provided a plurality of fastening members configured to fasten the support elements in the first holes and the second holes, wherein the first end includes two openings configured for inserting one of the fastening members in each of the two openings.

[0015] According to a further feature of the present invention, the first elongated assembly has as a first section and a second section, a half of the first holes being disposed in the first section, another half of the first holes being disposed in the second section, each of the support members being mechanically connectable to the first elongated base assembly using one of the fastening elements which is disposed on one side of the first section and another of the fastening elements which is disposed on another side of the first section.

[0016] According to a further feature of the present invention, the first section and the second section are mechanically connected when the first elongated base assembly is mechanically connected to a fixed surface.

[0017] According to a further feature of the present invention, the first section includes a rectangular strip having side elements, the side elements being configured to provide a gap between the rectangular strip and the fixed surface when the first elongated assembly is mechanically connected to the fixed surface, the gap being configured to contain at least part of the first end of each of the support elements.

[0018] According to a further feature of the present invention, the support elements are hollow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0020]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a bicycle rack that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0021]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the bicycle rack of FIG. 1;

[0022]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an end of an elongated support element which is fixed into a hole of an elongated base assembly of the bicycle rack of FIG. 1, through a plane defined by lines A-A of FIG. 1;

[0023]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an end of an elongated support element which is fixed into a hole of an elongated base assembly of the bicycle rack of FIG. 1, through a plane defined by lines B-B of FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an elongated support element being inserted into a hole of a section of an elongated base assembly of the bicycle rack of FIG. 1;

[0025]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a securing member being inserted into an opening of the elongated support element of FIG. 5;

[0026]FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the elongated support element of FIG. 5 being inserted into a hole in another section of the elongated base assembly of FIG. 5;

[0027]FIG. 8 is an isometric view of another securing member being inserted into another opening of the elongated support element of FIG. 5;

[0028]FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an end piece being inserted into the elongated base assembly of FIG. 5;

[0029]FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a brace being fitted onto a pair of elongated support elements of the bicycle rack of FIG. 1;

[0030]FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the bicycle rack of FIG. 1 being fixed to a fixed surface; and

[0031]FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the bicycle rack of FIG. 1 attached to a wall.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] The present invention is a bicycle rack construction and method of assembly thereof.

[0033] The principles and operation of a bicycle rack according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

[0034] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a bicycle rack 10 that is constructed and operable in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of part of bicycle rack 10. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an end 12 of an elongated support element 14 which is fixed into a hole 16 of an elongated base assembly 18 of bicycle rack 10, through a plane defined by lines A-A of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of end 12 of another elongated support element 14 which is fixed into another hole 16 of another elongated base assembly 18 of bicycle rack 10, through a plane defined by lines B-B of FIG. 1. Bicycle rack 10 is configured to store three bicycles. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that bicycle rack 10 can be configured to store two, four or more bicycles. Bicycle rack 10 includes two elongated base assemblies 18. Each elongated base assembly 18 has twelve holes 16 therein. Elongated base assemblies 18 are hollow and are typically formed from a metal such as steel or aluminum.

[0035] Each elongated base assembly 18 has an upper section 20 and a lower section 22. Half of holes 16 of each elongated base assembly 18 are disposed in upper section 20 and the other half of holes 16 of each elongated base assembly 18 are disposed in lower section 22. Therefore, holes 16 are disposed in elongated base assembly 18 in two levels, one level in upper section 20 and one level in lower section 22. Holes 16 are arranged so that each hole 16 in lower section 22 is directly above a corresponding hole 16 in upper section 20. Lower section 22 includes a rectangular strip 24 having side elements 26. Side elements 26 are also rectangular strips which are mechanically connected at their midpoint to rectangular strip 24, so that the major surfaces of side elements 26 are perpendicular to the major surfaces of rectangular strip 24. Upper section 20 is typically formed from a metal plate which is bent inward along four lines to form an elongated element having three closed sides and a partially open side. Upper section 20 and lower section 22 are mechanically connected in three ways, as follows. First, upper section 20 and lower section 22 are configured, such that, upper section 20 and lower section 22 interlock. Second, when elongated base assembly 18 is mechanically connected to a fixed surface 30, upper section 20 and lower section 22 are held together. A fixed surface 30 is typically a floor, wall or other fixed surface. Third, end pieces 44 (FIG. 9) are configured to secure the ends of upper section 20 and lower section 22 together. Side elements 26 are configured to provide a gap 28 between rectangular strip 24 and fixed surface 30 when elongated base assembly 18 is mechanically connected to fixed surface 30.

[0036] Bicycle rack 10 includes six elongated support elements 14. Each elongated support element 14 is typically a hollow metal tube, which is bent, such that, each elongated support element 14 turns through at least 90 degrees, preferable 180 degrees as shown in the figures. Each elongated support element 14 has two ends end 12.

[0037] Holes 16 are disposed in elongated base assemblies 18, such that, one end 12 of each elongated support element 14 is configured for insertion through two holes 16 in one elongated base assembly 18, and the other end of each elongated support element 14 is configured for insertion through two holes 16 in the other elongated base assembly 18. In other words, each end 12 of each elongated support element 14 is configured for insertion into one hole 16 in upper section 20 and one hole 16 in lower section 22 in each elongated base assembly 18. Therefore, elongated base assemblies 18 are configured to provide a resisting force, shown by an arrow labeled R1 and an arrow labeled R2, to a torque applied to elongated support element 14, shown by an arrow labeled F, by a bicycle about a line, labeled L, which joins two holes 16 associated with the same elongated support element 14 (FIG. 4). The spacing of holes 16 is configured, such that, every two elongated support elements 14 supports one bicycle by the wheel of that bicycle as well as ensuring that the bicycles stored in bicycle rack 10 are adequately spaced apart. Therefore, the spacing of holes 16 is generally uneven. When elongated support elements 14 are mechanically connected to elongated base assemblies 18, elongated support elements 14 are related to each other by translation without rotation. Additionally, elongated support elements 14 are arranged to be substantially parallel, such that, each elongated support element 14 has an associated plane, the planes of elongated support elements 14 being substantially parallel. The plane of each elongated support element 14 is defined as follows. When elongated support element 14 is laid on a flat surface, such that, the dimension of elongated support element 14 perpendicular to the flat surface is minimized, the flat surface defines the plane.

[0038] Elongated support elements 14 are configured for mechanical connection to elongated base assemblies 18 solely by easy mechanical attachment. “Easy mechanical attachment” is defined to exclude connecting using welding, adhesives, soldering, chemical based processes and riveting. Easy mechanical attachment includes, but is not limited to using bolts, screws, pins and interlocking joints. In accordance with the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, bicycle rack 10 includes a plurality of fastening members 32. Fastening members 32 are typically metal pins. Fastening members 32 are configured to fasten ends 12 of elongated support elements 14 in holes 16. Each end 12 includes two openings 34 therein configured for inserting one fastening member 32 in each opening 34. For each end 12, openings 34 are configured, such that, when end 12 is inserted into elongated base assembly 18, one opening 34 is disposed on one side lower section 22 and the other opening 34 is disposed on the other side of lower section 22. Therefore, two fastening members 32 secure end 12 to lower section 22, one fastening member 32 being disposed on one side of lower section 22 and another fastening member 32 being disposed on the other side of lower section 22.

[0039] Gap 28 is configured to contain at least part of ends 12 of each elongated support element 14.

[0040] Bicycle rack 10 also includes six braces 36. Each brace 36 includes two brackets 38 and a bridge element 40. One brace 36 is mechanically connected to two adjacent elongated support elements 14 close to one elongated base assembly 18 and another brace 36 is mechanically connected to the same two adjacent elongated support elements 14 close to the other elongated base assembly 18 in order to reduce sideways torque of those two elongated support elements 14. Additionally, braces 36 are used to raise the wheel of the bicycle off of the ground. Raising the wheel of the bicycle is useful when two adjacent bicycles in bicycle rack 10 are the same size and therefore the handlebars of the bicycles would be at the same level, thereby preventing the bicycles from being stored easily in bicycle rack 10. Additionally, raising the wheel of the bicycle is useful when the bicycle has a wheel that is too small to be supported from rolling back and forth by elongated base assemblies 18. In such a case braces 36 prevent the bicycle wheel from rolling on the ground. Braces 36 are described in more detail with reference to FIG. 10.

[0041] Each elongated base assembly 18 includes two holes 42 therein so that bicycle rack 10 can be mechanically connecting to fixed surface 30, typically using screws. The fixing of bicycle rack 10 to fixed surface 30 is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 11.

[0042] The preferred method of assembly and installation of bicycle rack 10 is now described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12. The steps are generally performed in the order of the Figures below.

[0043] Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is an isometric view of elongated support element 14 being inserted into hole 16 of upper section 20 of one elongated base assembly 18. Bracket 38 is slipped onto elongated support element 14 prior to elongated support element 14 being inserted into hole 16. Bracket 38 is a typically a rectangular piece of metal having a hole at each end, the rectangular strip being bent to fit around elongated support element 14 so that the holes of brackets 38 are aligned with each other.

[0044] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is an isometric view of a securing member 32 being inserted into an opening 34 of elongated support element 14 of FIG. 5. The steps described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 are repeated for the remaining elongated support elements 14.

[0045] Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is an isometric view of elongated support element 14 of FIG. 5 being inserted into a hole 16 in lower section 22 of elongated base assembly 18 of FIG. 5.

[0046] Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is an isometric view of another securing member 32 being inserted into another opening 34 of elongated support element 14 of FIG. 5. The steps described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 are repeated for the remaining elongated support elements 14.

[0047] Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is an isometric view of a decorative end piece 44 being inserted into an end of elongated base assembly 18 of FIG. 5. Another end piece 44 is inserted into the other end of elongated base assembly 18 of FIG. 5.

[0048] Reference is now made to FIG. 10, which is an isometric view of a brace 36 being fitted onto a pair of elongated support elements 14. Bridge element 40 is connected to each bracket 38 using a nut 46 and a bolt 48. This step is repeated for each pair of elongated support elements 14. Brace 36 is typically disposed between 4 cm and 10 cm from elongated base assembly 18.

[0049] The steps described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10 are repeated for the unconnected ends of elongated support elements 14, including inserting and securing the unconnected ends of elongated support elements 14 into holes 16 of the other elongated base assembly 18 as well as securing the remaining brackets 38 and bridge elements 40.

[0050] Reference is now made to FIG. 11, which is a isometric view of part of bicycle rack 10 being fixed to fixed surface 30. Bicycle rack 10 is mechanically connected to fixed surface 30 by four screws 50 extending through holes 42 of elongated base assemblies 18 into fixed surface 30. If necessary raw plugs 52 are inserted into drilled holes in fixed surface 30. A decorative cover 54, typically formed from plastic, is disposed on to the head of each screw 50

[0051] Reference is now made to FIG. 12, which is an isometric view of bicycle rack 10 attached to a wall. Bicycle rack 10 can also be attached to a floor. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that bicycle rack 10 may be configured for placing on to a flat surface without mechanically connecting bicycle rack 10 to a fixed surface.

[0052] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof that are not in the prior art which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A rack system for a plurality of bicycles, each of the bicycles having a wheel, comprising: (a) a base assembly; and (b) a plurality of support elements, said support elements being configured for mechanical connection to said base assembly solely by easy mechanical attachment.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein: (a) said base assembly includes: (i) a first elongated base assembly having a plurality of first holes therein; and (ii) a second elongated base assembly having a plurality of second holes therein; and (b) said support elements are elongated support elements, each of said support elements turning through at least 90 degrees, at least one of said support elements having a first end and a second end, said first end being configured for insertion into one of said first holes, said second end being configured for insertion into one of said second holes, said first elongated base assembly and said second elongated base assembly being configured to provide a resisting force to a torque applied to said one support element by one of the bicycles about a line which joins said one first hole and said one second hole, a spacing of said first holes and said second holes being configured, such that, every two of said support elements support one of the bicycles by the wheel.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein when said support elements are mechanically connected to said first elongated base assembly and said second elongated base assembly, said elongated elements are related to each other by translation without rotation.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein when said support elements are mechanically connected to said first elongated base assembly and said second elongated base assembly, said support elements are substantially parallel.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein said first elongated base assembly and said second elongated base assembly are configured for mechanically connecting to a fixed surface.
 6. The system of claim 2, further comprising at least one brace, said brace being mechanically connectable to two of said support elements in order to reduce sideways torque of said two support elements.
 7. The system of claim 2, further comprising at least one brace, said brace being mechanically connectable to two of said support elements in order to raise the wheel of the bicycle.
 8. The system of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of fastening members configured to fasten said support elements in said first holes and said second holes.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein said first end of each of said support elements includes an opening for inserting one of said fastening members therein.
 10. The system of claim 2, wherein said first elongated base assembly and said second elongated base assembly are hollow, said first holes being disposed in said first elongated base assembly on two levels and said second holes being disposed in said second elongated base assembly on two levels, such that, said first end of each of said support elements is configured for insertion through two of said first holes and said second end of each of said support elements is configured for insertion through two of said second holes.
 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of fastening members configured to fasten said support elements in said first holes and said second holes, wherein said first end includes two openings configured for inserting one of said fastening members in each of said two openings.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said first elongated assembly has as a first section and a second section, a half of said first holes being disposed in said first section, another half of said first holes being disposed in said second section, each of said support members being mechanically connectable to said first elongated base assembly using one of said fastening elements which is disposed on one side of said first section and another of said fastening elements which is disposed on another side of said first section.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said first section and said second section are mechanically connected when said first elongated base assembly is mechanically connected to a fixed surface.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein said first section includes a rectangular strip having side elements, said side elements being configured to provide a gap between said rectangular strip and said fixed surface when said first elongated assembly is mechanically connected to said fixed surface, said gap being configured to contain at least part of said first end of each of said support elements.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein said support elements are hollow. 